Women’s Access to Legal Reproductive Health Care Services at Issue as U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments Over Texas Law

MADISON, Wis. — The United States Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments today in a critical case for women’s access to reproductive health, originating from Texas.

At issue in Whole Woman’s Health v Hellerstedt is whether a state law that ostensibly regulates clinics providing comprehensive reproductive health care services to women, but in reality is intended to shut down abortion clinics, will be allowed to stand.

If the Supreme Court upholds the law, nearly one million women would live farther than 150 miles from an abortion clinic in Texas alone. Nationwide, it could impact at least ten million women of reproductive age who have seen or will see abortion clinics close in their states.

A similar law was passed in Wisconsin and was struck down by a federal appeals court. Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel has filed an amicus brief in the Whole Woman’s Health case, defending the politically-motivated regulations of health clinics.

The following are the statements of One Wisconsin Institute Research Director and attorney Jenni Dye:

“This case is just one example of how our courts matter and the justices who sit on them make decisions that can have dramatic impacts on our lives.

“In this case, the decision of a majority of the Supreme Court could either protect the ability of women and their families to make their own healthcare decisions or strip them of their rights, allowing politicians to impose their beliefs and insert themselves where they have no business.”